Singing Lessons Have Changed More Than You Think (and That’s a Good Thing)
Did you know that modern singing lessons are completely different from how most people were taught to sing just a few decades ago?
For most of the 1900s, singing was taught almost entirely through tradition — teachers passed down what they had been told by their own teachers. It worked sometimes, but it also meant a lot of guesswork. Explanations like “place the tone forward” or “support with your diaphragm” became common phrases, even though no one could fully explain what they meant in the body.
That started to change in the 1980s and 1990s.
Science entered the singing studio
Around that time, voice scientists began uncovering what was really happening inside the body when we sing. New technology made it possible to see the vocal folds, measure airflow, and understand how the brain and muscles coordinate to produce sound.
According to a fascinating study by Dr. Rachel Velarde (Arizona State University), this was when a real shift happened in vocal pedagogy — a “paradigm shift”. Teachers started moving away from vague, tradition-based methods and toward techniques based on how the voice actually works.
Suddenly, singing exercises weren’t random anymore. They could be chosen to solve specific problems — for example, balancing air pressure, finding efficient resonance, or improving stamina.
Why this matters for you
At Singable Toolbox, this scientific foundation is at the heart of everything we do. Our vocal exercises, courses, and feedback aren’t based on what “used to work for someone’s teacher’s teacher” — they’re based on how your instrument actually functions.
That means faster progress, fewer confusing instructions, and a deeper understanding of your own voice. You don’t just copy sounds — you learn how your body creates them.
And honestly? That’s incredibly empowering.
We believe in curiosity, not mystery
One of the things Dr. Velarde’s research highlights is that when new discoveries about the voice first came out, some teachers resisted them. They preferred to simplify or even ignore the science. But others embraced it — and those are the teachers who helped shape the kind of learning we offer today.
At Singable Toolbox, we follow in their footsteps. We believe singers deserve to understand what’s happening when they sing, not just be told what to imitate. Because when you understand your instrument — the hidden instrument inside your body — you unlock the freedom to use it however you want.
About the writer:
Noomi Kifarkis is a Swedish musicologist and MVT certified vocal coach specialising in vocal technique and music theory.
